63 coil spring install

[William B.]

Received new front coil springs from Eaton, standard suspension. it looks like you can index the end of the coil at the top(in the frame) and the bottom(on the control arm). problem is I can not index both ends, coil will not allow me. I have to pick either top or bottom, I think it should be indexed at the control arm, my helper believes we should index at the frame? does it really matter or is my coil spring wrong? Also the spring I removed is not as tall and a thinner diameter steel than what Joe Ray installed when the car was restored. how can I identify the correct spring for the car?

[Paul J.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

If you have'nt already done this, you might want to PM (or e-mail) Joe and ask him if he remembers what he did and why.

[William B.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

Joe restored and received a duntov with this car in the early 90's, has had a few owners since then, who knows what may have been changed? Just looking for the correct answers today, indexing and correct spring identification?

[Paul J.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

Just trying to help. There are differences in the 63 springs and what you can buy today, but I don't remember what they are. I remember there was some discussion on this a while back, and the threads are in the archives. Perhaps someone who remembers this can chime in.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

The coil spring is indexed at the top, and I believe 1/4 to 3/8 from stop.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

Bill, when I did my 63 I index the top at the stop, and the bottom is not at the 1/4 drilled opening on lower control arm, as with 64 and later springs the bottom will sit at the 1/4 inch drilled openings of the lower control arm but the 63 will not. The car sits nicely and no noise or height concerns. My coils are originals

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

Received new front coil springs from Eaton, standard suspension. it looks like you can index the end of the coil at the top(in the frame) and the bottom(on the control arm). problem is I can not index both ends, coil will not allow me. I have to pick either top or bottom, I think it should be indexed at the control arm, my helper believes we should index at the frame? does it really matter or is my coil spring wrong? Also the spring I removed is not as tall and a thinner diameter steel than what Joe Ray installed when the car was restored. how can I identify the correct spring for the car?

William,

So I understand what the issue is, is the spring coil (wire) too long or too short? Does one end not reach the end of the slot in the control arm or is it too long and won't drop into the slot.

I assume you have new reproduction springs for standard suspension for 63? What is the overall height of the new spring?

[William B.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

I ordered the 1963 standard suspension spring from Eaton, I indexed the coil at the top and the bottom was not close to the index point. is this correct for 63's? I have them already installed, car seems to sit a lot better, just thinking they do not have to be indexed at the bottom also, I think you would call the wire coil not long enough to reach the bottom index spot.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

I ordered the 1963 standard suspension spring from Eaton, I indexed the coil at the top and the bottom was not close to the index point. is this correct for 63's?

I think you'll be ok as long as both ends of the spring are in their pockets. There's always a gap between the end of the spring and the end of the pocket that it fits into.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

I installed reproduction coil springs from LI Corvette on my 63 a few years ago. The springs are made with a extra coil and I can't remember how they sat inside the lower control arm, I will look today and report back.

If my memory is correct the originals are seven coils and the LI spring has eight coils.

[John D.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

I lucked out on my 63 and was able to buy a set of NOS 63 coil springs from a buddy.
Interested in hearing how the car sits with the new repro springs Bill. Measure the height and let us know. The specs are in the Aims.

[John H.]

Re: 63 coil spring install

William -

The front coil springs are indexed AT THE TOP, as noted in the Assembly Manual, 3/8" from the formed stop in the upper spring seat in the frame pocket. The hole in the lower control arm depression is for water drainage, not spring indexing.